Technical Director, Defence Architecture (Buildings)

"At AECOM, I'm surrounded by brilliant people who see possibility in every challenge. We're trusted to bring our best thinking to projects that genuinely matter—not based on sector credentials, but because design thinking is how we solve problems together." — Damian Pratt, U+P Sector Manager NSW & Technical Director

Come and grow with us.

Our global portfolio of work comprises the design of iconic and award-winning buildings and landscapes. From strategic planning through to project realisation, the connections we make among people and place provide sustainable outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve. We place a premium on investing in digital capabilities and innovations which bring a unique consistency and efficiency to our scalable work. Together with our clients, we are working to evolve and elevate the built environment across sectors including social infrastructure, transit, technology and logistics, and commercial and corporate real estate, while focusing on solutions that promote long term health and wellbeing for all.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

As part of our strategic growth, we’re seeking a Technical Director-level Architect to join our high performing team across NSW & ACT. Based in our Canberra office, this is a rare opportunity to combine leadership, client engagement and project delivery at scale - while contributing to some of Australia’s most impactful Defence and Data Centre projects.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Provide project leadership and technical oversight on a range of Data Centre and/or Defence Projects — guide multidisciplinary teams through complex architectural commissions, set clear design direction, and collaborate closely with our Brisbane colleagues to drive successful outcomes.

• Drive excellence in project delivery by overseeing major Data Centre and Defence initiatives and projects ensuring design quality, innovation, and outstanding client satisfaction.

• Shape AECOM’s pipeline: partner with sector leads to win major pursuits, deepen client relationships, and position the firm as the partner of choice for large-scale, technical projects.

• Champion design and technical standards by delivering sustainable, innovative solutions, coordinating multidisciplinary inputs, and mentoring staff to elevate practice-wide capability

• Strengthen business performance through effective resource allocation, budget and risk management, and contribution to strategic growth and market positioning of our architecture offering.

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes, you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

The qualities that help you thrive

• Registered Architect with ideally 18+ years of experience alongside current professional registration.
• Ideally, extensive Data Centre or Defence sector experience with knowledge of security requirements, clearance protocols and defence-specific design considerations.
• Proven leadership skills with a track record of motivating, developing and growing high-performing teams, with a passion for mentoring and teaching.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary projects and deliver successful outcomes.
• Strategic mindset with the capability to shape and strengthen AECOM’s architectural offering and market position.

Due to the nature of the position and projects, Australian Citizenship is required. 

Why you’ll love working with us 

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities
• Modern CBD office, diverse and inclusive team, barista coffee machine, morning tea celebrations, social events, and much more!

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.  Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.